If this holiday season is the first one ever for your baby (or even the second or third), there are certain safety measures every parent should take before the celebrations begin.

Other People and Your Baby
As always, keep a close eye on infants and young children during shopping trips and in crowded places such as the airport, movie theaters, and public event spaces; the extra hustle and bustle in high-traffic holiday hot-spots makes young children and even stroller-bound infants easier targets for predators. Abductions often occur in such places, so avoid leaving children unsupervised even for a moment.

Do not assume that your child is supervised just because there are plenty of people around, even if they are trustworthy. Furthermore, be specific regarding safety tips when leaving your children in the care of relatives or friends during parties and visits. Remind babysitters and relatives to place infants on their backs to sleep, as tummy- or side-sleeping significantly increases the risk of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Stress the importance of appropriate feeding practices such as not allowing a young baby to have solid foods or small chunks. Other choking hazards to point out to caregivers include ribbons, bows, toys with small pieces, and ornaments.

Decorating with Baby in Mind
If there is a Christmas tree in the home, make sure it is secured in such a way that an infant could not topple it by tugging on low branches or decorations. Keeping lights and small or breakable ornaments out of reach of a baby will also reduce the likelihood of the baby grabbing at decorations and being injured by them if they fall. Always supervise infants when they are near presents, trees, decorations, extension chords, or wires that babies could get tangled in quite easily.

Holiday Foods and Feeding Your Baby
The holidays will typically also bring many new experiences for babies, including new foods. Just as during the rest of the year, introduce new foods slowly – no more than one every three days or so, to allow time to detect a food allergy. Remember that foods that aren’t recommended for infants may be common holiday ingredients, such as peanut butter in cookies or honey with vegetables or chicken.

In addition to watching what goes into the baby’s mouth, what parents imbibe may impact their ability to care for their children. Breastfeeding women should also take care to avoid breastfeeding for several hours after consuming alcohol.

Seasonal Safety
Other general tips on infant care to remember during the holidays when visits, traveling, and cold weather abound can also be useful for parents and family or friends. Even if sleeping quarters are tight, do not allow children or adults to share a bed with an infant. Adults and children can easily roll onto an infant during sleep, unintentionally crushing or suffocating the baby.

As cold weather is often a part of the season, many babies will be bundled up well to fight off the winter chill. Parents should take care, however, not to allow blankets or clothing to restrict a baby’s ability to breathe or move his or her head comfortably. Over-bundling or layering blankets on a sleeping baby increase the chance of accidental suffocation; soft bedding or sleeping areas where a baby can roll over or slip between cushions or pillows also present serious health hazards.

By following these simple tips, new parents can help make baby’s first holidays safe, happy, and healthy. Here’s to the best of the season for everyone!